Infrastructure giant Bechtel’s turnover fell 6.3% to £9.4bn last year.
The US-based group, which operates worldwide its profitability “held steady” despite turnover slipping from £10bn in 2000 and its falling short of its 2001 financial plan. Bechtel is a privately owned company and does not make its profit figures public.

The firm said: “It was a solid year and Bechtel’s workload for 2002 looks solid. Key factors included the continuing growth of Bechtel’s telecommunications, government and power businesses, and the company’s ability to maintain a presence in markets worldwide.” Bechtel’s “new work” order book last year stood at £6.5bn compared with £10.1bn in 2000.

In the UK, Bechtel is part of the Metronet consortium that has won Tube public–private partnership contracts. It is due to release more information next month when its Global Report is published.